The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies many substances on the basis of their potential for causing cancer. Classifications are based on results of studies on animals, or with humans. Classification categories refer to epidemiological studies, which are studies to identify the factors controlling the presence or absence of a disease.
Group A or Human Carcinogens. There is a relationship between the substance and cancer that has been shown through epidemiological studies on humans.
Group B or Probable Human Carcinogen. There are two types of carcinogens in this category. There is sufficient evidence from animal studies and limited epidemiological studies that B1 carcinogens cause cancer. B2 carcinogens are classified on the basis of sufficient evidence from animal studies only; epidemiological data are inadequate or nonexistent.
Group C or Possible Human Carcinogens. Classification in this category is based on limited evidence from animal studies and no epidemiological data.
Group D or Not Classifiable as to Human Carcinogenicity. The studies on substances in this category are inadequate or completely lacking, so no assessment of the substance's cancer-causing potential is possible.
CARCINOGENS
The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services has determined that the following industrial processes, occupational exposures, and chemicals are associated with cancer in humans:
- 4-Aminobiphenyl
- Analgesic mixtures containing phenacetin (used as anti-fever agents)
- Arsenic and arsenic compounds
- Asbestos
- Auramine manufacture
- Benzene (used in nail polish remover, mvarnishes, airplane dopes, lacquers, and as a solvent)
- Benzidine
- N,N-Bis (2-Chloreothyl)-2-Naphthylamine (Chlomophaozine)
- BIS (chloromethyl) ether and technical grade chloromethyl methyl ether
- Boot and shoe manufacture and repair
- 1, 4-Butanediol dimethanesulphonate (Myleran)
- Certain combined chemotherapy for lymphomas (including MOPP)
- Chlorambucil
- Chromium and certain chromium compounds
- Coal gasification
- Coal tar and coal tar pitch
- Coke production
- Conjugated estrogens
- Cyclophosphamide
- Diethystilbestrol (DES)
- Furniture manufacture
- Isopropyl alcohol manufacture
- Malphalan
- Methoxsalen with ultra-violet A therapy
- Mineral oils
- Mustard gas
- 2-Naphthylamine
- Nickel refining
- Rubber industry (certain occupations)
- Soots, tars, and oils
- Tobacco
- Treosulphan
- Ultraviolet radiation
- Underground hematite mining (with exposure to radon)
- Vinyl chloride
Contact with these substances should be avoided by both children and adults.
Group E or Evidence of Noncarcinogenicity for Humans. Substance in this category have tested negative in at least two adequate animal cancer tests in different species and in adequate epidemiological and animal studies.
Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood & Adolescence. Gale Research, 1998.
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